South Dakota ELA 3.RF.2
The Standard
Proficiency of the phonological awareness skill continuum is expected by 3rd grade but cannot be assumed. Please see preceding grade levels for students who are still developing in this area and provide intervention as needed.
South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students hear and work with rhymes, syllables, and individual sounds in spoken words. They blend, separate, and change sounds without seeing the words written.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can clap the two syllables in “basket,” tap four sounds in “stop,” and say “top” when /s/ is removed. They can do the same with new spoken words.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students count letters instead of sounds, giving “ship” four sounds. Others clap syllables when asked to tap individual sounds, even if they can read the word.
How to Assess It
- Say “ship.” Ask students to tap its sounds, then replace /sh/ with /t/ and say the new word. Listen for three taps and “tip.”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs three counters to slide as they say each sound in “ship,” then ask them to change /sh/ to /t/.
Ask partners, “What changes when you say ‘stop’ without /s/?” Have them say both words and explain what they heard.
Play sound-switch relay: say “cat,” call “change /k/ to /h/,” and have pairs say “hat” before the next change.
Use names from the class roster: clap the syllables in “Maya,” then tap the three sounds in “Sam.”
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Printable 3.RF.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.RF.2, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 1.RF.2
Demonstrate proficiency of identifying, blending, and segmenting phonemes (sounds) in spoken words.
- K.RF.2
Demonstrate awareness of phonological skills, including:
- 4.RF.3
Demonstrate proficiency in grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding and encoding words.
- 2.RF.2
Demonstrate proficiency of spoken words, syllables, and phonemes (sounds).
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